Several of Matua’s former teammates posted messages on Twitter last week indicating that Matua had been hospitalized as a result of either a heart attack or an aneurysm. Although Matua needed emergency surgery, the news initially appeared to be positive, as some of his teammates wrote that they had heard he was going to pull through. The news came today that Matua had passed away.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, who was Matua’s college coach at USC, confirmed on Twitter on Sunday that Matua had died.

So saddened to hear about Fred Matua passing away at age 28. Very tough news this morning. #FightOn